The yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis, is a species of bullhead catfish. Yellow bullheads are typically yellow-olive to slaty-black on the back and sometimes mottled depending on habitat. The sides are lighter and more yellowish while the underside of the head and body are bright yellow, yellow white, or bright white. The rear edge of its caudal fin may be rounded or nearly straight. The yellow bullhead is distinguished from the brown bullhead and black bullhead by its white barbels.

The yellow bullhead is a voracious scavenger typically feeding at night on a variety of plant and animal material, both live and dead, including small fish, crayfish, insects, snails, and worms. Its habitat includes pools, backwaters, and sluggish current over soft or mildly rocky substrate in creeks, small to larger rivers, and shallow portions of lakes and ponds. The yellow bullhead may grow to 18 inches and weigh up to 4 pounds or more. On average, the yellow bullhead can live up to 7 years.

Spawning begins in May and June with both sexes participating in nest building. The nest may be under a log or stone or in a similarly enclosed burrow. The female will lay 2,000 to 7,000 eggs. The eggs hatch within 5 to 10 days. The parents guard the fry until July or August. Yellow bullheads range throughout the central and eastern US from central Texas north into North Dakota and east through the Great Lakes region to the east coast. They are considered a rough fish typically, and seldom sought for sport. The cream colored meat has a good flavor, but tends to be soft in summer.

References

• McClane, A.J. McClane's Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
• A Boundary Waters Compendium. Retrieved on 2007-03-27..
• Page, Lawrence A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife. Retrieved on 2007-03-14..
• Arizona Game and Fish. Retrieved on 2007-03-14..
• Ameiurus natalis (Lesueur), Yellow bullhead - Biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Retrieved on 2007-10-16..

See also

• Bullhead catfish (general)

External links